The US has cut military assistance and co-operation ties with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), an internal memo seen by the Sunday Times suggests.
The memo, dated March 13, is from the US department of state and is directed to Aaron Harding, the chief financial officer of America’s Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DCSA), which is an entity of the US department of defence (DoD).
It directs that in accordance with the executive order signed by President Donald Trump, all foreign aid and assistance offered to South Africa be suspended.
It includes a directive that any South African military personnel in the US for any education and training “be sent home as soon as possible”.
“This guidance for South Africa supersedes the recent exception approved for FMF-funded [foreign military financing] students globally,” the letter said.
“Please ensure this guidance is widely disseminated to the DoD programme managers and other stakeholders to ensure we are meeting this direction as soon as possible. State will update this guidance as needed.”
The Sunday Times could not establish the extent of co-operation and aid South Africa receives from the US, but the letter mentions:
- international military education and training (IMET);
- foreign military financing (FMF);
- foreign military sales (FMS); as well as
- bilateral and multilateral peacekeeping operations (PKO).
“PKO funds obligated by State to DoD bilaterally for South Africa but not expended should not be placed on cases. Any case amendments or modifications for existing PKO-funded cases benefiting South Africa should remain paused, and all other case financial implication should remain suspended,” the letter said.
“Any equipment, training, or other PKO-funded assistance should not be provided to the government of South Africa regardless of whether funds have already been expended.”
The US government could not be reached for confirmation and further details on the memorandum.
The South African National Defence Force said yesterday: “The letter in your enquiry is not addressed to the Department of Defence therefore we cannot comment on the contents and the letter thereof. We would advise that (you) consult the US Embassy or Administration.”
The move is the latest in a series of escalations in an increasingly fraught relationship between Washington and Pretoria, largely under Trump’s hand, and which also saw Trump issue an executive order cutting the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) funding to South Africa, slashing South Africa’s reported $2.3bn (R42.38bn) annual response to Aids budget by about 17%.
Although the two countries’ relations have been strained for some time over the US’s unhappiness with South Africa’s nonaligned position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, among others, Trump’s inauguration as president has led to more direct action from one of South Africa’s most crucial trade partners.
Trump has been open about his displeasure at South Africa bringing genocide charges against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Priyal Singh, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, said the move would have been on the cards.
We need the US far more than they need us. Any loss of association and perceived benefits from our association with them can have accumulating consequences for us, most importantly our defence capabilities
— Kobus Marais, analyst and former DA shadow minister of defence
“It’s evident that the Trump administration is trying to make an example of South Africa, and we are going to witness further deterioration in many areas over the Trump administration,” he said.
Former DA shadow minister of defence and now analyst Kobus Marais said: ”While we don’t rely heavily on the US for our military or defence-related capabilities, any drastic change will impact negatively on our defence capabilities. Our relationships with Boeing (BBJ) and Lockheed Martin (C130’s), joint military exercises, training and exchange of military staff will be negatively affected.
“The US can also be a strategic partner in the use of satellite technology to monitor our maritime responsible areas and our airspace. We’ll require partnerships as we’ll not be able to afford it [on our own],” he said.
“One must also remember that if we are associated with the perceived enemies of the US, we can further damage our global interactions and interests.
“We need the US far more than they need us. Any loss of association and perceived benefits from our association with them can have accumulating consequences for us, most importantly our defence capabilities,” he added.
An internal SANDF source said the relationship included financial support for the education and training of South African and Sadc doctors in the military.
This latest move casts into doubt the annual RSA-US Defence Committee meeting, a sit-down between defence officials of the two countries where bilateral military co-operation matters are discussed. The last meeting was hosted by South Africa last November with the 2025 sit-down expected to be hosted by the US.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.